Have you decided where to visit for Hatsumode, which is a traditional occasion to pray on new year’s day, in 2018? Most of popular spots like Meiji jingu, Sensoji, or Nishiarai daishi are expected to be very crowded and the visitors have to be in the long queue for more than a few hours for just brief prays. Today, I’d like to tell you some of good hidden spots to have the new year comfortably.
Both shrines and temples are fine to visit for the new year
Some of my international friends ask me what’s difference between shrines and temples, and I simply say that shrines for Shinto and temples for Buddhism. Japanese people generally believe the two religions, but it doesn’t matter which we visit as for the new year’s pray. Anyway, here’s hidden spots which are not introduced well in guide books.
Nezu Shrine
Adress : 1-28-9 Nezu, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo-to (google maps)
Station : Nezu(Chiyoda line) or Todaimae(Nanboku line)
Website : http://www.nedujinja.or.jp/ (Japanese only)
Zojoji
Adress : 4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo (google maps)
Station : Onarimon(Mita line) or Daimon(Asakusa line)
Website : http://www.zojoji.or.jp/en/
Shibamata Taishakuten
Adress : 7-10-3 Shibamata, Katsushika, Tokyo (google maps)
Station : Shibamata (Keisei Line)
Website : http://www.taishakuten.or.jp/index2.html
After making a decision where to visit, you should go out to arrive an hour before to new year’s day at the latest. Even above the hidden spots, it should be hard to wait for praying during the freezing midnight. Hope you have a great new year!
